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Essential Sefton

Phased improvement works on Buckley Hill Lane

Phased improvement works are set to start at the junction of Buckley Hill Lane and Edge Lane, Netherton to benefit traffic flow in the area.

The improvements will include the installation of a new left hand turning lane on Buckley Hill Lane and general works to help enhance pedestrian facilities at the junction.

Contractors will undertake the works from March 11 and are expected to take up to two weeks to complete the first phase of the improvements.

Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services, said: “This will require the installation of temporary traffic lights to be used during off-peak hours between 9:30am and 3:30pm so we are kindly asking motorists to make sure they plan their journeys accordingly.

“The second phase of improvement works is expected to begin on March 25 and this will necessitate the closure of the southbound carriageway of Buckley Hill Lane, between Almonds Turn and Edge Lane, for up to ten weeks.

“However we are making sure that adequate diversions and signage are to be in place during this closure to help reduce delays and northbound traffic should remain unaffected throughout.”

Residents and businesses in the area have already been made aware of the works.

For more information about roadworks or diversions across Sefton, visit www.roadworks.org

Bliss Hotel deal revamps Southport’s waterfront

Bliss Hotel is about to become the newest kid on the block, changing the landscape in its inaugural location of Southport; the North West’s premier coastal destination.

Bliss Hotel has rebranded and refurbished the current 133 room Ramada Plaza Hotel which anchors their multi-faceted leisure resort, The Waterfront, which includes a casino, theatre and conference centre sitting on the Marine Lake.

Bliss has recently secured a £15m funding package to support the project which will deliver the new hotel together with a wider and ambitious planning consent over the entire site before pursuing a strategic Bliss Hotel expansion drive for the ‘Super Soulful ‘Hotel Brand to other locations in the UK.

Bliss Hotel will be the first brand in the U.K. to trade under the Wyndham Trademark franchise agreement and immediate works will deliver completion of Bliss Floor 5 comprising new designed rooms showcasing their handmade Millbrook King Sized beds and formation of new and exclusive 60m2 penthouses with incredible views across the Marine Lake and coast beyond.

Bliss Hotel Co-Founder Daniel Broch said: “What a moment for Southport and Bliss Hotel; our shared vision’s about to become a reality fuelled by the enthusiasm and excitement of all those involved – creating anything from scratch is hugely inspiring and challenging; we’re aiming high”

Jez Marvin, from the architects Unwin Jones Partnership added: “The Bliss Hotel project and Waterfront regeneration represents a fantastic opportunity for Southport, the North West and for all involved.

“Unwin Jones Partnership are delighted and excited to have been selected as architect. Bliss have assembled a team full of talent, ideas and energy – we are looking forward to creating something truly amazing together.”

Sefton joins partners to host ‘Empty Homes’ event

Sefton Council is joining forces and partnering up with other local authorities across Merseyside and Cheshire to host a free ‘Empty Homes’ event.

The event at Liverpool Town Hall aims to offer advice and support to owners of empty properties across the region.

The drop-in session is an initiative from the Merseyside and Cheshire Sub Regional Empty Homes Group to reduce the number of empty privately-owned homes across the region.

There will be a host of information and empty property owners can browse stalls to learn about Council services and their empty property schemes or attend seminars on issues including selling a property at auction, probate, Universal Credit and fire safety.

The event takes place at Liverpool Town Hall, on Wednesday, March 20, between 3pm-6.15pm. For more information contact Elizabeth Walsh on 0345 140 0845.

Sefton catches alleyway dumpers in flytipping crackdown

Sefton Council is once again reminding residents of their rubbish responsibilities following a crackdown on alleyway flytipping.

A recent spot-check by the Local Authority’s Environmental Health Enforcement officers in the south of the borough uncovered a large amount of alleyway rubbish dumping and one resident was even caught in the act, resulting in her receiving a £400 fine.

Each year Sefton’s cleansing teams have to remove thousands of tonnes of rubbish from alleyways across the borough, costing the Council £800,000 a year to clear up and dispose of.

On average 20 tonnes of flytipped rubbish is left in rear alleyways and passageways each week, running up bills of £2,600 in disposal costs alone.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulation and Compliance, said: “People dumping rubbish in alleyways costs the council hundreds of thousands of pounds a year to clean up and dispose of.

“This is a huge bill to clean up after flytippers and our recent inspections show that there are still inconsiderate and irresponsible people who dump their rubbish illegally.

“No matter if its a small bin bag or a huge pile of household waste, it’s still flytipping and you will be fined heavily for irresponsibly disposing of your rubbish.

“Flytipping carries a £400 fixed penalty notice and failure to pay will land you in court. We won’t hesitate to issue a fine if we catch people doing it.
“Each week our cleansing teams clear away tonnes of dumped waste from alleyways alone and this needs to stop.

“Flytipping is not only unsightly and anti-social, but it can also be a serious risk to people’s health and can cause considerable damage to the environment.

“Please dispose of your waste in the proper fashion and make Sefton a cleaner and greener place to live, work and visit.”

If any residents have any concerns regarding flytipping or wish to report an offence, they should contact us on 0345 140 0845 or report it via our website www.sefton.gov.uk.

Man, 26, jailed for seven years after pensioner robbed in Blundellsands

Police are]e today (Tuesday 5th March) welcoming the sentencing of a 26 year-old man after a pensioner was robbed in Blundellsands.

The victim, a 75 year-old man, was dragged to the floor in Fountain Court and had his Rolex watch and wallet stolen by two males who made threats to physically harm him.

Alexander Billinge, of Lyneham, Whiston, admitted robbery and was sentenced to a total of seven years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court following the incident in October 2016.

Detective Constable Neil Jones said: “This was a particularly nasty robbery on an elderly man but thankfully incidents like this are very rare.

“The victim was not seriously injured but he was left visibly shaken and shocked by his ordeal.

“Considerable work went into building a case against Billinge and finally bringing him to justice. I am pleased that Billinge will now spend a considerable amount of time behind bars to reflect on his actions.

“I also hope that it means that the victim can now move on with his life and finally put this upsetting ordeal behind him.”

In a personal statement shared with the court the victim said: “I was very shaken by what happened and have been extremely cautious ever since.

“I was putting my car away one day and the leaves behind me just rustled and I nearly jumped out of my skin. It has made me nervous but I hope that will go away.